Itinerary
- Day 1
Kochi
You'll arrive in Kochi whenever works for you and settle into your hotel. The day is yours until evening, when there's a welcome meeting to attend. Afterward, walk down to the harbour to catch the sunset framed by those iconic Chinese fishing nets. If you're up for it, there's an optional group dinner afterward.
- Start point
- Kochi, Kerala, India (Pick up meeting point, 07:00 - 07:30)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting
- Visit harbour to view Chinese fishing nets at sunset
Optional Activities
- Group dinner
Landmarks Chinese Fishing Nets 
- Day 2
Kochi to Kalpetta
Catch a morning train and then transition to a scenic drive that takes you to Kalpetta in the Wayanad district. It's a nice mix of rail and road to get you into the hills.
- Day 3
Kalpetta
You'll walk through the forested nature trails around Wayanad, getting a feel for the landscape. After that, join a guided tour of a tea factory and plantation to see how the local tea gets made. The area sits in the Western Ghats and produces some excellent tea.
Included Activities
- Walk nature trails through forested areas in Wayanad
- Guided tour of tea factory and plantation
Landmarks Wayanad Tea Plantations - Day 4
Kalpetta to Mysore
Today you're driving to Mysore, the ancient city sitting in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills. Mysore served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore for centuries, so there's a lot of history layered into the place.
Landmarks Chamundi Hills 
- Day 5
Mysore
A guided tour of Mysore Palace gives you a sense of what life looked like for a Maharaja. Then head up to Chamundi Temple at Chamundi Hills and see the Nandi the Bull statue. You've got free time to wander the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market, join a yoga class, or drive out to Somnathpur if the famous Hoysala Temple interests you.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mysore Palace
- Visit to Chamundi Temple at Chamundi Hills
- View of Nandi the Bull statue
Optional Activities
- Visit Devaraja market
- Yoga class at local institute
- Drive to Somnathpur to visit Hoysala Temple
Landmarks Mysore Palace Chamundi Temple Nandi the Bull Devaraja Market Somnathpur Hoysala Temple - Day 6
Mysore to Mahabalipuram
You're in for a full day of travel by train to Chennai, then a short bus ride south to Mahabalipuram. Once there, check out the 7th century Shore Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the older structures you'll see.
Included Activities
- Visit Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Landmarks Shore Temple 
- Day 7
Mahabalipuram
This day is free for you to explore Mahabalipuram at your own pace. Walk around the village, find local spots, or just relax after yesterday's travel.
- Day 8
Mahabalipuram to Puducherry
You'll drive to Puducherry, which was once the largest French colony in India and an important trading port. Stop at the ashram to learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose. The city has this interesting blend of wide French boulevards and French-style houses mixed with distinctly Indian character, so it's worth just wandering around to notice the architecture.
Included Activities
- Learn about Sri Aurobindo Ghose at the ashram
Landmarks Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Day 9
Puducherry to Madurai
Travel inland to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Just getting there and looking around gives you a real sense of the layered history.
- Day 10
Madurai
Take a cycle rickshaw tour through Madurai and then visit the Meenakshi Temple complex. You've got free time to check out handicraft shops or find the covered stone tailor's market where skilled tailors can make custom shirts in minutes. If you're interested, return to the temple in late evening to catch the nighttime rituals.
Included Activities
- Cycle rickshaw tour of the city
- Visit Meenakshi Temple
Optional Activities
- Visit handicraft shops
- Explore covered stone tailor's market
- Meenakshi Temple Night Visit
Landmarks Meenakshi Temple - Day 11
Madurai to Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady, known as the spice capital of India and right next to Periyar National Park. A guided tour of the spice plantations and tea factory shows you how things grow and get processed here. If you want, you can take an optional boat ride on Periyar Lake to see the wildlife.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of spice plantations
- Tour of tea factory
Optional Activities
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake
Landmarks Periyar National Park Periyar Lake - Day 12
Thekkady to Alleppey
Head to Alleppey for a local homestay stay. You'll take a private boat through the backwaters to reach your village homestay. In the afternoon, a local guide takes you around the island to see how people live and meet residents. Just before sunset, you'll go out on a small country boat with locals through the winding backwaters.
Included Activities
- Private boat journey through backwaters to homestay
- Guided walk and exploration of the island with local guide
- Sunset boat journey along backwaters with locals
Landmarks Alleppey Backwaters - Day 13
Alleppey to Kochi
Spend the morning with your host family learning to cook local food, watching toddy tappers work, or exploring the village. Later, travel to a Planeterra project for lunch before heading back to Kochi. By evening, take an orientation walk and catch a performance of Kathakali, the traditional Kerala dance form.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Planeterra project)
Included Activities
- Morning activities with host family (cooking lesson, observing toddy tappers, or village exploration)
- Lunch at Planeterra project
- Orientation walk of Kochi
- Kathakali traditional dance performance
Landmarks Kathakali Performance Venue - Day 14
Kochi
You're free to depart whenever you need to. Head to the airport or continue on to your next destination.
- End point
- Kochi, Kerala, India (Drop off at same meeting point, 08:00 - 08:30)
